Downtown Peabody filled with food stalls, artisan tents and performance stages for the 40th International Festival, drawing families, civic groups and musical ensembles. Vendor booths represented Greek, Polish, Colombian and Latin cuisines, among others, and performers ranged from traditional Polish polkas to salsa and bachata bands.

Polish community volunteers have run a Polish food booth for decades. Carol Blanchett, staffing the Polish booth, said, “We've been doing this for 40 years,” and described continuing ties to local parishes and community tradition. Greek Orthodox volunteers described gyros, baklava and lamb skewers prepared on charcoal grills; festival guests reported long lines at multiple food tents.

Artisan and small businesses also used the festival to introduce storefronts and products. Alex of Sunny Bees described raw and infused local honeys, noting seasonal flavor differences: “The light honey is our spring harvest… the fall honey will have more of your autumn flavors.” High‑maintenance local vendors — from CBD bath products to small jewelry makers — said the festival was an opportunity to connect with neighborhood customers.

Performances energized the crowd throughout the day. Bands and dance troupes representing Puerto Rican, Irish, Polish, Haitian and other traditions appeared on multiple stages. Dance instructors and youth performers emphasized cultural continuity: Dina, founder of a local dance studio, celebrated her 30th year teaching and said her mission is to “build confidence” in young dancers.

Festival organizers listed sponsors onstage and in the program and thanked dozens of volunteers and municipal staff. Attendees and vendors described the event as a major local economic and cultural draw but did not discuss any regulatory or permitting changes during the festival.

Organizers encouraged attendees to continue supporting Main Street businesses after the event.